 |
| Sofi's Bridge |
Pelican Book Group (May 1, 2016)
Reviewed by Noela Nancarrow
5 Stars *****
Having read an early introduction to Sofi’s Bridge, my hand went up to give an emphatic yes to reading
the rest! And I can assure you, it lived up to its promise. Author Christine
Lindsay’s masterful pen delivers a captivating and mysterious atmosphere, gripping
emotions, and vivid descriptions—via an exceptional story that will steal away your day, or hours!
Ever since the tragic accident at sea that took the life
of sisters Sofi and Trina’s father, Sofi Andersson’s life has never been the
same. Their mother is enslaved to a laudanum addiction, and sixteen-year-old
Trina is locked away somewhere in her mind, traumatized and bound by a secret that
only she knows. At just twenty-one years, Sofi’s small shoulders carry the
weight of caring for her family. So when family friend and business partner
Charles, who seriously gave me the chills, determines that Trina should be
locked away in an asylum, Sofi flees in the night with her sister to what she
hopes is a safe place.
While working as a gardener for the Andersson family,
Irishman Neil Macpherson discovers Sofi’s clandestine plans, and concerned for
the sisters, he insists on accompanying them. Although his admiration for the
tenacious Sofi grows, he is simply a common gardener to her. If she knew he was
in actual fact a doctor, he imagines she may view him differently. At any rate,
he is restrained by his secrets and a past that if caught up with him, could
see him clapped in irons and extradited by Scotland Yard. Neil’s honor has him striving to see
Trina recovered and assisting Sofi, though by remaining in one place leaves him
vulnerable. Can he unlock Trina’s tortured mind before Charles catches up with
the sisters? Or will the police catch up with him first? What might it take for
Neil and Sofi to cross the bridge over the chasm of secrets and problems that
separate them?
Like the stretch of Sofi’s bridge, ‘twas a tale that spanned
the gamut of my emotions. I adored reading about the Sofi and Neil’s sweet and
torturous burgeoning love, making my heart clench and my eyes sting. I was inspired by their eventual realizations of needing to stand back and allow the Lord to work and to save. And the unsavory characters kept me on my toes with angst and chills. Sofi’s Bridge is an outstanding tale for which I
can heartily recommend!
Thank you to the author for providing a copy of 'Sofi's Bridge' in exchange for my honest opinion which I have given.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
*The e-book of 'Sofi's Bridge' is available right now, and the paperback will be released in a few days time on May 1st, although you may pre-order it now!!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
GIVEAWAY: Christine Lindsay is kindly giving away an E-BOOK of SOFI'S BRIDGE to one person who leaves a comment below! To be eligible, please leave your email address for contact purposes, written (at) and (dot) to protect yourself against spammers.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
GIVEAWAY: Christine Lindsay is kindly giving away an E-BOOK of SOFI'S BRIDGE to one person who leaves a comment below! To be eligible, please leave your email address for contact purposes, written (at) and (dot) to protect yourself against spammers.
Your review is just stunning, NOELA! This was indeed a heartwarming story that was a pleasure to read! Love the cover with the soft minty greens and lavenders, too!
ReplyDeleteDIANA, thank you so much for your sweet encouragement! Wasn't it such a wonderful story, and very memorable characters, too. I'm still thinking about them! Great description of the colours lol, I would I have just said greens and pinks. Absolutely LOVE this cover!!
DeleteI so agree Diana,I thought Pelican Book Group did a wonderful job on the cover. I'm very proud of it. Nicola Martinez is the artist who designed it. Although I did find the stock photo of Sofi, because to me that's exactly how she looked in my mind as I was writing her.
DeleteGood review, and I hope to win to read Sopi's Bridge.
ReplyDeleteGpk1946 at gmail. Dot com
Thanks so much PHYLLIS! Here's hoping for a win for you for this terrific book!!
DeleteThank you Phyllis, I agree, Noela wrote a wonderful review. And she says she's not a writing. Ha! The woman knows how to string words together beautifully.
DeleteAww what a sweet compliment from one of my fave authors ever!!
DeleteLove the cover and your review. Definitely want to read Sofi's Bridge.
ReplyDeletemyrtle1961(at)gmail(dot)com
I really want you to as well, because I know how much you will enjoy it, MT! (Myrtle, is it?) All the best!
DeleteAnd I too, hope you will read Sofi's Bridge too, Myrtle. Many blessings on you.
DeleteThis sounds like a fabulous read! cmcfaithingod at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is, CHRISTINE, so I am really glad you're in the draw for it!! :)
DeleteWell from one Christine to another, this Christine says, "Thank you so much for your encouraging words." I hope you do get a chance to read Sofi's Bridge. I really enjoyed writing it. It's a bit lighter than my historical trilogy Twilight of the British Raj. Those books are more historical with what I like to call a Big Love Story, a bit different from a romantic historical.
DeleteWow, Noela, your review of Sofi's Bridge gave me the thrills down my spine. And I quote, "Like the stretch of Sofi’s bridge, ‘twas a tale that spanned the gamut of my emotions." as the author of this book, you humble me and build me up with your encouragement. All I can say is thank you dear friend, for your encouragement. Hugs to you.
ReplyDeleteCHRISTINE, it so blesses me that you enjoyed the review! Thank you so much for your kind and encouraging words!! I LOVED your book and endeavored to write a review worthy of such an amazing story, but as with most of my reviews, am never convinced about them! Hugs my friend, and keep on writing!! :)
DeleteWonderful review and I would love to win a copy of this great sounding book. lacy1942(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteHi Ann, I hope you get to win too. I wish everyone could win a free copy. LOL Not good business sense I suppose. But then, making money is not a part of this. It is the overwhelming compulsion to tell a good story that entertains for a while and uplifts at the same time. Hugs to you.
DeleteThank you Ann! I'm with Christine in wishing everyone could receive a book. Especially when people are so excited to read the books we review! And even more so when the book is SO good, like this one! :)
DeleteThanks Noela for that wonderful review! I was on the fence whether I wanted to read Sofi's Bridge or not,but since reading this review I can't wait! Thanks ,too Christine Lindsay for writing this exciting book! Please add my name to the giveaway. lynnefeuerstein(at)aol(dot)com
ReplyDeleteOh that is so awesome to hear, LYNNE!! You're name is added and so are my hopes you'll get to read and enjoy this story soon! :-)
DeleteOoooh, Lynne, glad we got you off the fence. LOL I hope that you will enjoy Sofi's Bridge whenever you get the chance. It's a little lighter than my other novels. Sofi's Bridge is definately in the historical romance category, while my British Raj trilogy is Historical fiction with what I like to call Big Love Stories, but different from romance.
DeleteIt sounds great. I look forward to reading it. If I win, please message me for my email. My husband and I are right now working on a police report where several women have stolen my identity and bought stuff in my name. One ran up a 3,000 dollar plus bill by getting a Nordstrom's credit card in my name.
ReplyDeleteOh dear, so sorry to hear about the identity theft. You take care, and here is praying that the situation gets resolved by the police soon.
DeleteIt sounds great. I look forward to reading it. If I win, please message me for my email. My husband and I are right now working on a police report where several women have stolen my identity and bought stuff in my name. One ran up a 3,000 dollar plus bill by getting a Nordstrom's credit card in my name.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, that's terrible CONNIE! Praying that all works out well for you! Ugh some people.. If only they'd put their efforts into working honestly they'd probably do well for themselves. All the best in the giveaway, Connie!
DeleteA wonderful review, Noella! Thank you. It certainly sounds like a must read! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you CARYL, and yes it is definitely a must-read book! :) Blessings!!
DeleteHugs, Caryl, wonderful encouragement from you a terrific writer. Blessings dear friend.
DeleteSounds like a god story! I don't quite gather the time period that it is set it, but I know the care for the mentally ill has come a long way in the past few decades.
ReplyDeletepattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com
PATTY thanks, the story is set in 1913. And yes, I thank the Lord that we've come so far in that area!!
DeleteYes, I hear you, Patty, what does early 20th century mean. Like Noela has already answered, the book is set in 1913. Just when cars were starting to be a way of travel, but the roads were horrendous. The Cadillac that Sofi and Neil travel in with her sister Trina and housekeeper Mattie can only go about 35 to 40 miles an hour tops. Trains are still a major way to travel. And I love the romance of trains.
DeleteI feel for Sofi. She sounds strong though too.
ReplyDeletemarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Oh she certainly is, MARY! But she needs those strong shoulders of Neil's more than she realizes. Sometimes we all try to carry more than necessary. All the best with your entry, Mary!
DeleteHi Mary, yes Sofi is strong, but like many of us, she doesn't realize that she's not as strong as she thinks she is. LOL We all need to come to those crashing moments when we realize we have to let go, and Let God....
DeleteWonderful review, Noela! This book sounds like it is NOT to be missed. Thanks so much for the giveaway. I certainly would live to win :)
ReplyDeletebettimace at gmail dot com
Absolutely, BETTI! I hope Sofi's Bridge finds its way into your hands, soon!! :) Thanks Betti.
DeleteHi Betti, I love to write, so I hope you get a chance to read Sofi's Bridge, and I sure hope you like it. I love a story that sweeps me away for a day or two. Hugs on your entry too.
DeleteOutstanding review, Noela - thank you!! I loved this book - it was the first of Christine's I had read. One of the most "realistic" Christian Fiction I've read. Needless, to say - I will be reading her others as soon as possible!!
ReplyDeleteOh wow, BONNIE, you SO have to read Christine's 'Twilight of the British Raj' book series!! They are simply astounding reads!! I see that on Amazon the Kindle editions are available for under $4 each. Absolute bargains if you don't already have them! I'm sure you will love them just as much as Diana and I did! :)
DeleteOh Bonnie, you honor me with those words. That's what I love----realistic Christian fiction. I guess it's fair to tell you that much of what I write comes out of my own interesting life. I use the word 'interesting' with a laugh. Like so many of us, I've suffered, but God is amazing. Thank you again for those kind words. And as Noela has already urged you, I urge you too to read my trilogy Twilight of the British Raj. I'm very proud of that story.
DeleteGreat interview, Noela! Sofi's Bridge has intrigued me since I first saw Christine's posts regarding this book, and I would LOVE to win a copy.
ReplyDeletekf1928(at)telus(dot)net
Thank you so much, KATHLEEN! Like yourself, Christine is a very talented author and you can always be sure you're going to enjoy her stories. I love having that confidence in authors! I would dearly love you to win also, so here's hoping! :-)
DeleteOh Kathleen, thank you so much for that encouragement. Like Noela says, it is always an honor when a fellow author says such kind words. I hope that Sofi's Bridge will find its way into her reading pile. Hugs.
DeleteWow! What a great introduction to a new-to-me author. This book sounds exciting, gripping and like one that you can't put down.
ReplyDeletereneerachoyolsenATgmailDOTcom
Awesome!! I love helping to introduce new readers to these amazing authors, so that other people may also have that exquisite reading pleasure! :) I so hope you get to read Sofi's Bridge soon, HEATHER!!
DeleteWow! Hi Heather, and I love to meet enthusiastic readers. Your excitement in a new books echoes in my own heart. I too love a good story, and when I find an author I like I devour everything that author writes. Hugs and blessings to you.
DeleteWonderful review Noela! Sofi's Bridge sounds really good. I have placed it on my to be-read-list.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,Tina
Oh Tina, just the place I want Sofi's Bridge to be---on your TBR pile. Hugs and blessings, and I hope you get a chance to read Sofi and Neil's story soon. And while I'm thinking of it from my character's point of view, I hope you get to read Abby and Geoff's story, and Laine and Adam's story, and Cam and Dassah's story, and Naomi and Kieth's story....LOL
DeleteThat's awesome to hear TINA! I know you will thoroughly enjoy Christine's touching story. All the best!
DeleteGreat interview! This book sounds wonderful! I would love to have a copy! Thanks for the opportunity!
ReplyDeletegrandmama_brenda(at)yahoo(dot)com
Thanks so much Brenda, I always love being a guest on OWG, they are such a gracious bunch of ladies, and I love each of them so much though we have yet to meet in person. But over the past 6 or 7 years as each of my books have come out, Diana and Noela have been my favorite cheerleaders. Precious, simply precious women of God who do so much.
DeleteBRENDA, it is indeed a wonderful story by Christine and I truly hope you get to enjoy reading Sofi's Bridge soon!
DeleteCHRISTINE, we dearly love you too and are very thankful to know such a beautiful, godly and talented friend who is so encouraging and supportive. And who effortlessly inspires and entertains us every time she puts pen to paper! :)
Oh my! I read my comment again and I had interview and it should have said REVIEW.
DeleteSorry.
That's quite alright, Brenda, I knew what you meant! Someone else said interview as well, so see you weren't the only one! ;) Blessings!
Delete